What Made the World Trade Center Fall?

One of the crucial technical disputes in American history is underway. It pits government technicians who say the WTC buildings were brought down by airplane impact against architects and building engineers who insist that the Twin Towers could never have collapsed solely due to the planes and are calling for a new independent investigation.

The Santa Barbara Independent, located in one of the California's most beautiful destination resort areas, provides the most comprehensive arts, entertainment and in-depth news coverage of the South Coast region. The 25-year-old Santa Barbara Independent is considered a must-read by...

English director Danny Boyle was visiting Seattle a while back, raving about the inspiration Mumbai provided during the filming of his acclaimed new Slumdog Millionaire. Then we all know what happened in that city.

Few people on the planet are unaware of climate change -- reducing one's carbon footprint has practically become a fashion statement. But behind the headlines and slogans, scientists are tracking the impacts global warming is already having -- and projecting what is yet to come.

One of the big surprises to emerge out of the Refugio Oil Spill is that the pipeline owned by Plains All American Pipeline is the only one in all of Santa Barbara County not to have an automatic shut-off valve. Not coincidentally, it happens to be the only pipeline over which the county Energy Division has no safety and inspection oversight authority.